GB2488987A

GB2488987A - Lock unit with radio transmitter and separate alarm unit with receiver

Info

Publication number: GB2488987A
Application number: GB201103926A
Authority: GB
Inventors: James Warwick Lucas
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-03-08
Filing date: 2011-03-08
Publication date: 2012-09-19
Also published as: GB201103926D0

Abstract

A mechanical lock unit 1,2 with radio transmitter (fig 3, part 7) having a separate alarm unit (see figs 4 and 5) with a radio receiver (fig 4, part 11). The lock unit secures an object to be protected to a fixed item and sends a short range radio signal to the alarm unit if the lock unit is cut, tampered with or damaged. The separate alarm unit is secured to or within the object to be protected and sounds an alarm when the radio signal is sent by the lock unit. In that manner, the alarm unit sounds while remaining fixed to, or within the object being protected. The lock unit may contain wires along its length (fig 2, part 6) to detect tampering, cutting or damage. In the described embodiment, the object to be protected may, for example, be a bicycle.

Description

Lock-alarm

Background

Cycling as a transport mode is increasing due to city congestion levels, costs of petrol, and in support of the environmental considerations One of the benefits of using a bicycle in a city is that you can ride anywhere, and then secure it to any available fixed infrastructure such as railings or lampposts.

However, bicycle theft is a persistent problem in most cities, and this undermines the positive aspects of using a bike freely in the city. There is a wide range of good bicycle locks on the market, but most locks can be cracked with the appropriate tools e.g. long bolt cutters. Many of the thefts occurring involve the actual lock being cut, and the bicycle being simply ridden away.

The following described invention cart be used to help solve this problem, although its application is not limited for use wiTh bicycles. Other applications for the present invention include, but are not limited to; motorised vehicles, gardening or builders tools, and push chairs.

Statement of Invention

To overcome this problem, the present invention proposes to combine a mechanical lock uflit with a separate alarm unit that is fixed to object to be secured (e.g. a bicycle). If the lock bar is cut or tampered with, the lock unit will send a short range radio signal to the alarm unit that will then sound.

Advantages If one accepts the fact that locks can be broken, this product provides an additional layer of protection by combining a good lock, with an alarm. This will not only act as deterrent to tackle the lock, but also deter the thief from making away with the object if the lock is cut.

The lock will operate and perform as other good locks on the market, but the difference is it will be supplied with a separate alarm unit.

As there is no physical connection between the alarm unit and the lock, it can be used as a conventional lock, and minimises locking time of the bicycle for example. No alarm needs to be set, it is done automatically upon turning of the key.

Introduction to drawings

The invention is described in more detail and illustrated in the following figures: Fig t is an illustration of the mechanical lock unit according to the invention Figure 2 is an illustration of the cross section o'f the lock bar Figure 3 is an illustration of the lock body in an opened up state showing internal components Figure 4 is a possible configuration for the alarm unit, showing the main components in the unit Figure 5 is another possible configuration for the alarm unit

Detailed description

The lock unit in Figure I coniprise of a lock bar 1, and a lock body 2. The Jock bar slots into the lock body that contains a key activated locking mechanism 3, that secures the lock bar ends into the lock body, hence forming a closed lock.

The cross section of the lock bar is illustrated in Fig 2 that shows the metal bar 4 is covered in a plastic or rubber sheath 5 containing wires 6 along its length. The wires form part of the primary circuit in the Jock body whereby if the Jock bar is damaged it will be detected (with a change in resistance in the circuit), or cut (with a total break in the circuit), by the secondary circuit in the lock unit.

Fig 3 shows the lock body 2 in an opened up position. It contains a short range radio transmitter 7, a battery 8, a battery test button 9, the key locking mechanism 3, and a circuit box 10. If the primary circuit is broken or damaged in the lock bar, the secondary circuit located in the circuit box will send a signal using the short range radio transmitter to the alarm unit attached to the bicycle.

Fig 4 shows a possible configuration for the alarm unit. It comprises of a short range radio receiver 11, a battery 12, circuit box 13 and an alarm speaker 14 housed in compressible material 15 (such as foam) so that the unit can be inserted inside the frame tubing of a bicycle. In this configuration of the alarm unit, all the components described will be designed in a cylindrical shape such that they fit in the tubing of a bicycle. The unit can be removed from a bicycle tube by inserting a rod with a hook, to pull on the hoop 16 at the top of the unit. If the short range radio signal is received from the lock unit, the alarm will sound for fixed durations, for a specified number of times as determined by the factory programmed circuit box.

The key has 2 ftinctions. It locks/unlocks the lock bar into the lock body, and also activates! deactivates the primary and secondary detection circuits in the Jock unit. in alarm unit configuration as per Figure 5, it also secures the alarm unit to the bicycle.

When the lock body is open (meaning without lock bar inserted), it is possible to open it up to access the battery compartment and battery test button as shown in Figure 3.

This can be achieved by means of a catch 17 that is released by inserting a finger or tool in the recess for the lock bar. The battery test button 9 activates the secondary circuit in the lock unit) and sends a signal to the alarm unit to sound. Release of the button stops the alarm.

The alarm unit with the functionality and components described in Figure 4 could also be configured in a different format, such as in Figure 5, In this configuration, the alarm unit is secured externally to the frame using a hinged clasp arrangement 16, and the components are housed in a box 17 with holes to release the sound. The same key used in the lock unit opens up the alarm unit with a lock 1 8 to access the battery and secure it to the bicycle.

The frequency of the short range radio signal used will be within the bands agreed as "licence free" in the particular country, and not requiring extensive conformance to standard testing. The radio transmission system wi]] be designed such that the range is approximately 2 meters (depending on product application).

Claims

Claims 1. A mechanical lock unit supplied with a separate alarm unit (the lock-alarm) whereby the alarm unit can be secured to or within the object to be protected, while the lock unit secures said object to a fixed item, and if the lock bar is cut or damaged, the lock unit sends a short range radio signal to the alarm unit that will then sound the alarm.
2. A lock-alarm according to claim I, in which the lock bar contains wires throughout its length that form part of the primary detection circuit in the lock unit.
3. A lock-alarm according to claim 2, in which The lock unit contains a secondary circuit that detects a break, or change in resistance in the primary circuit.
4. A Jock-alarm according to any preceding claim, whereby the lock unit secondary circuit includes a short range radio transmitter that sends a signal to the alarm unit should it detect a change in resistance or break in the primary circuit.
5. A lock-alarm according any preceding claim, whereby the alarm unit contains a short range radio receiver to receive the signal from the Jock unit.
6. A lock-alarm according to any preceding claim, in which the lock unit body can be opened up when the lock bar is not inserted to access the battery and battery test button.
7. A lock-alarm according to any preceding claim, whereby a key locks and unlocks the lock bar into the lock body, and the key also sets and unsets the alarm.